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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
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Gray matter alterations in early aging: a diffusion magnetic resonance imaging study.
Y Rathi1, O Pasternak, P Savadjiev
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Human Brain Mapping
|January 3, 2014
Summary
Diffusion MRI reveals age-related gray matter changes, supporting the retrogenesis and PASA models of brain aging. This study introduces a novel gray matter heterogeneity measure to track these structural and functional shifts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Brain Aging Research
- Diffusion MRI Applications
Background:
- Aging brains exhibit altered neurofunctional and structural organization.
- Functional neuroimaging suggests posterior-to-anterior shifts (PASA model) and decreased cortical thickness (retrogenesis model).
- Limited research uses diffusion MRI (dMRI) to explore gray matter structural changes underlying aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gray matter changes in aging using dMRI for the first time.
- To propose and validate a novel dMRI-based measure of gray matter heterogeneity.
- To correlate dMRI findings with established functional (PASA) and structural (retrogenesis) aging models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diffusion MRI (dMRI) to assess gray matter.
- Introduced a novel "heterogeneity" measure for structural tissue layout analysis.
- Analyzed data from 85 male subjects (ages 15-55) across anatomical lobes and functional zones.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a strong correlation between age and gray matter "heterogeneity" in specific brain regions.
- Confirmed the "retrogenesis" hypothesis of gray matter alterations.
- Provided support for the neurofunctional PASA model and highlighted preservation in paralimbic areas.
Conclusions:
- dMRI-based gray matter heterogeneity offers insights into brain aging.
- Findings integrate structural and functional perspectives on aging, supporting existing models.
- Paralimbic areas appear preserved during healthy aging.
